Caroline Hill Returns To Lead Limestone University Softball Program

Following a national search to find the seventh head coach in program history, the Limestone University Athletics Department did not have to look very far as Caroline Hill, the former Spartanburg Methodist College head coach and Limestone softball team member, has been named as the Saints' new head softball coach.

"It's exciting," Hill said about coming back to Limestone. "To be able to return and coach as an alum is an awesome thing. Just to see what has been built and created since I graduated, it is exciting to be a part of that!"

In three seasons (2020-2022) at Spartanburg Methodist College, she amassed a 49-55 overall record and an outstanding 22-11 mark in region play, which included a shortened 2020 season due to COVID 19.

In the 2022 season, Hill led the Pioneers to an 11-1 record in region play and a Region 10 title. That season, Hill also developed players athletically and academically. Honors bestowed on the team included Pitcher of the Year, five 1st Team All-Region, three 2nd Team All-Region, and Coach of the Year. Also, the team boasted a 3.4 GPA and eight players were named as a NJCAA Academic All-American.

While the 2020 and 2021 seasons were ravaged by COVID 19, Hill was able to lead the team to a combined record of 23-30. The player accolades continued to roll in under Hill's guidance, as there was a combined five Academic All-Americans, eight First team All-Region, six Second Team All-Region, Player of the Year, and Pitcher of the Year.

Prior to being the head coach at Spartanburg Methodist, Hill was an assistant coach at SMC from 2018-20 and was a private instructor at Strike Zone in Greer. She also coached summer travel teams.

Hill was a standout player at Limestone University for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Her batting average was .397, with 19 home runs, 94 RBIs, 130 hits, 80 runs, 31 doubles, six triples, 35 BB, and only 20 strikeouts. She was instrumental in leading the program to a Conference Carolinas regular season title in 2016 and a Region Ranking in the top 8 in 2017, which allowed for an opportunity to compete in Regional Tournament play.

Hill would also collect multiple individual awards, including: Conference Carolinas Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017, Conference Carolinas First Team All-Conference in 2016 and 2017, Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Softball All-Southeast Region-Second team in 2016 and 2017, National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)-Second team in 2017, and NSCA Strength and Conditioning All-American in 2017.

Prior to coming to Limestone, Hill was a standout player at Spartanburg Methodist College. While at SMC, Hill played in 96 games, garnered a .447 batting average, with 137 hits, 103 RBIs, and 84 runs. She hit 20 home runs in her two years and her slugging percentage in her sophomore year was .941. The 2015 squad received a bid to Nationals where it finished 8th out of 16 teams.